Economy

General Confederation of Lebanese Workers Calls for Salary Increase
General Confederation of Lebanese Workers Calls for Salary Increase

On March 19, 2024, the Index Committee at the Ministry of Labor approved increasing the minimum wage from LBP 9 million to LBP 18 million per month, with the consent of economic bodies and the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers. Following this, the Ministry drafted a decree to implement the wage increase and submitted it to the State ...

Finance Ministry: Deadlines of Certain Taxes Will Be Extended
Finance Ministry: Deadlines of Certain Taxes Will Be Extended

Caretaker Minister of Finance Youssef Khalil extended the deadlines for tax and income tax declarations by issuing three decisions on Wednesday. This aims to give taxpayers more time while avoiding late payment fines. The deadline for filing the annual income tax return for salaries and wages (R5), individual annual statements (R6) and the ...

EDL Blackout: What About the Investigation?
EDL Blackout: What About the Investigation?

Following the widespread blackout of Électricité du Liban (EDL) on August 17, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati requested that the Central Inspection Authority shed light on the causes of this outage, which brought the country to a standstill. How is the investigation proceeding? Caretaker Minister of Energy and Water Walid Fayad, along ...

Hamiye Launches Works on BIA Expressway
Hamiye Launches Works on BIA Expressway

Caretaker Minister of Public Works Ali Hamiye launched the creation of a Fast-Track lane for departing passengers at Beirut International Airport (BIA) from the arrivals hall on Tuesday. This new initiative aims to provide qualifying travelers with a faster and more convenient experience, allowing them to reach the boarding gates more swiftly and ...

Electricity Is Back for Four Hours
Electricity Is Back for Four Hours

The Zahrani and Deir Ammar power plants are set to resume more consistent electricity production after a 10-day interruption that began on August 17 due to a fuel shortage. Sources at the electricity company informed This is Beirut that a ship carrying 30,000 tons of Egyptian diesel arrived in Lebanon on Monday evening. “Unloading tests are ...

EDL Seeks Diesel Instead of Algerian Fuel Oil Due to Specification Issues
EDL Seeks Diesel Instead of Algerian Fuel Oil Due to Specification Issues

  The Algerian ship carrying 30,000 tons of fuel oil, valued at $18 million, as a donation from the Algerian authorities for Lebanon’s electricity sector, is expected to arrive off the coast of Tripoli's oil facilities. However, a last-minute issue has arisen: Can these quantities of fuel oil be used in the Zouk and Jiyeh power ...

Cyprus: A Refuge for Israelis?
Cyprus: A Refuge for Israelis?

  A few years ago, it was the Lebanese who were moving to Cyprus. But since October 7, 2023, with the onset of the war between Hamas and Israel, it is the Israelis who are turning to the island, making it a refuge or a backup plan. On this small Mediterranean island, the native Jewish community is working to welcome numerous Israelis ...

Is Algeria's Sonatrach Poised for a Comeback?
Is Algeria's Sonatrach Poised for a Comeback?

This is Beirut revisits the Sonatrach case, focusing on the global Algerian company that was a key supplier of natural gas to Lebanon until 2021. Following a scandal, Lebanon sought new sources, shifting its energy imports to Iraq. Today, Monday, Lebanon is scheduled to receive a gasoil shipment from Algeria, a much-needed boost to address its ...

Consumer Prices Increase 1.97% in July
Consumer Prices Increase 1.97% in July

The Central Administration of Statistics (ACS) reported on Monday that Lebanon’s consumer price index for July 2024 showed a 1.97% increase compared to June 2024. This recent rise, notably lower than the spikes seen in 2023, like the 33.27% surge in March and the 5.35% rise in May, reflects a more moderate trend. Conversely, the index saw a ...

Fuel Imports: Diverging Dynamics Between the Private and Public Sectors
Fuel Imports: Diverging Dynamics Between the Private and Public Sectors

How is the private sector able to import fuel while the Ministry of Energy struggles to pay for diesel to run the country's power plants? Here’s why. The private sector is able to import fuel under the watchful eye of the Ministry of Energy, which sets and monitors prices, while the ministry struggles to afford diesel to keep the country's ...

Lebanon: Room for the Elderly
Lebanon: Room for the Elderly

Who remains in Lebanon? Primarily the elderly. Who is emigrating? The young, but also families. The demographics of the Lebanese population are undergoing a significant shift, mainly due to the economic deadlock in which the country finds itself. Emigration is not a new phenomenon for societies, which typically experience migratory cycles limited ...

BDH: New Loan in Lebanese Pounds
BDH: New Loan in Lebanese Pounds

Antoine Habib, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Manager of Banque de l'Habitat (BDH), revealed that the institution is preparing to launch a new loan in Lebanese pounds, which will be announced shortly. This loan, intended to assist low- and middle-income Lebanese in renovating their homes, is designed to incentivize them to remain ...